Saturday, March 29, 2014

Book Review: Saga of the Self-Righteous

It was in early 2009 that I first met Dinakar when my friend and colleague decided to have him as his lawyer to fight a case in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Bangalore.  It was not an easy job to convince him to take up the case (but which he eventually did).  That was when I learnt of the book he had written.  'Veerappan's Prize Catch: Rajkumar'. Not very imaginatively named. Of his experience as the Director General of Police, Karnataka, when the (in)famous kidnapping of the matinee idol of the state, Dr Rajkumar, by Veerappan took place.  Though I was curious (and JS bought the book, finished reading it and lent it to me thereafter) I never read the book.  Until now - after it had languished in my book-shelf for years.  On a whim I took it out and read it almost non-stop.

For those who are familiar with Kannada cinema (fans of Rajkumar especially) or the kidnapping or Veerappan or Karnataka politics, it certainly is an easy, breezy read, largely.  Loads of anecdotes about politicians, police officers and bureaucrats keep you engaged making you guffaw, feel sad and ponder alternately.  And, yes, it does tell the tale of what happened behind all the stonewalling of information by the two state governments involved.  And, categorically answers the question, "Was ransom paid to Veerappan to get Rajkumar released?"

Of course the book and its author faced loads of flak from the government and politicians (and the police officers and bureaucrats too).  If so many uncharitable remarks are made against these people (right or wrong, apart), they naturally would be perturbed and upset (to say the least).  Mr Dinakar even told us that several of them did file cases against him (and none could stand the test of law, in his words).  

But, Dinakar is no story-teller.  His book is more like his diary for the period which contains his observations of the people and situations that occurred during the 108 days of captivity of Rajkumar.  And, the book is NOT about Dinakar and his life - except for the bare mentions of how he had to fight his way up the ladder to become the DGP.  The man surely is one toughie, unwilling to give up and surrender and always gearing to go and fight it out.  

Beyond a point the book starts wearing your patience thin; just like that of the governments involved in negotiation with Veerappan and that of the general public who had to suffer many hardships during those 108 wretched days.  Not because nothing was happening behind the scenes but Dinakar's snide remarks about all and sundry - he goes after almost everyone, except himself - become repetitive and boring.  His narrative doesn't always hold attention due to the lack of skills in telling the story.  As the criticism of everyone starts mounting, Dinakar begins to sound arrogant and egoistic.  But for him everyone is at fault here.  He of course has his sympathy for Parvathamma and SM Krishna - he even pays Krishna some backhand compliments on his patience and good manners.  But, they're just about.  Ultimately the book sounds more like a bugle that Dinakar is playing to sing his own achievements.  

Post-Script:  My friend lost his case at the CAT as Mr Dinakar appearing for him lost his temper during arguments, and thereafter gave up the case.    


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2 Comments:

At 11:11 AM, Blogger Vasant Prabhu said...

i wanted to read that book but Dinakar's doesn't have any gr8 reputation either in the force nor outside it. So dropped it. But i heard that the incident was a potboiler. There are other retd officers who write regularly in papers, one such I follow every sunday in Prajawani

 
At 2:10 PM, Blogger Quintessential Critic (Sudhir Narayana) said...

I'd definitely recommend you read the book. And, as far Dinakar is concerned, I can say this. Honest people are NEVER popular with colleagues and the self-righteous ones with none. You know where Dinakar seems to fit. But, you've to give it to the man for his conviction in himself (and his intelligence too).

 

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